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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

A Very Ivy & Elephants Christmas

A very Ivy & Elephants Christmas is very diverse, in fact down right eclectic. It is an compilation of several collections from Santas and snowmen, to Wedgwood and Waterford and everything in between.

I absolutely love angels. Placing this angel in the foyer under my favorite cloche is the perfect way to set the holiday mood as you enter our home.

The setting of my great-grandmother's dining table with my grand-mother's wedding china is a special tribute to the matriarchs of our family. Though they are not with us here on Earth we place two gold angels on the table to represent these two very strong women. This is where the family Christmas dinner will take place.

This beautiful lady stands at the head of the dining table representing four generations of strong women in our family.

When I was a little girl, my grandmother made this Christmas tree. We place it on my great-grandmother's buffet every Christmas.

My great-grandmother's Philco television is adorned by this beautiful angel.

Christmas bunnies are adorable. Plus she looks so cute next to the picture of my dear grandmother.

These are my absolute favorite snowmen and women. They are actually candle holders. I just love them grouped together.

I have a few Christmas obsessions. I have a weakness for a gorgeous Santa Claus adorned in a regal suit or robe. So I will show you a few of my favorites.

I hide Christmas cookies in this ceramic gentleman.

This jolly fellow greets us for Christmas breakfast.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus flank a picture of moi.

This little doll reminds me of when I was a little girl.

Carolers just put the whole family in the mood to sing all the Christmas favorites.

I use my favorite snow globe as a center piece on the cocktail table surrounded by a red berry wreath. Once you wind up the snow globe Christmas music plays while the cutest train rides along the track.

You can never have enough Christmas trees in the house. This whimsical tree is in the guest bathroom and is chock full of some of my favorite ornaments.

My son has been collecting Christmas ornaments ever since he was two (two whole years). These are four of his favorites.

I love a chocolate nut cracker....yummmmmmy!!!!

This Santa is my latest acquisition. Thank you Cracker Barrel!!! The little guys down in the front, I collected in college. Every year, the Dollar Store use to sell them. The Nutcracker, on the right with the cutest tall furry hat, was found at Tarjay (Target of course).

I have a confession, of all of my collections my Waterford collection of ornaments is the largest. I will share a few of them with you. This piece is from the Songs of Christmas collection.

This Waterford crystal is the Ten Lords a Leaping ornament from the 12 Days of Christmas collection. It was one of my very first pieces. In addition to the ornaments being beautiful, the hooks that come along with the ornaments are equally as beautiful.

Another very recent acquisition from the good folks at Cracker Barrel. He now sits on the refrigerator.

Waterford also has beautiful heirloom ornaments. This Santa seems to have so much personality.

Ok I am a little obsessed with Santa. There was no way I could leave this salt and pepper shaker at the Cracker Barrel.

So let me share with you how my little Waterford ornament collection grows. I hit Bloomingdales and Macy's the day after Christmas, each and every year. That is when they go on sale and funny enough I run in to the same ladies each and every year at the Waterford display.

I love collecting ornaments when traveling. The ornament on the left I picked up while visiting Jekyll Island, the cotton ornament came from St. Simon Island, and the third ornament is made from a shell that I purchased in the Cayman Islands.

So where do I go from here? I just keep going. Now I have added to my obsession collections. I have fallen in love with Wedgwood ornaments.

The Whitehouse ornaments are also my newest love. They have a new, fabulous one, every year.

I hope you enjoyed your visit and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

87 comments:

Beautiful collection Paula. Love the Santa's. I am also obsessed with Santa's. I have them all over. You are right about not having enough trees,. I have put 5 up this year. I am now on the hunt for a white one. I could swear I saw you at Cracker Barrel this weekend. Actually on saturday. But I was not sure so I did not go up to you. I did not see these Santas, if not I would have purchased one for sure. Beautiful post. Loving all your collections.

I love all of your beautiful dolls and brown Santas! My favorite is the pretty brown caroler I just know shes singing "Oh Christmas Tree"!I have been on the hunt high and low for one beautiful brown angel but alas nothing yet!

You have beautiful collections. The Santas and Waterford ornaments are gorgeous and so is the Wedgwood.I'm completely blown away by the Philco TV, amazing that you kept it and it looks like new. Thanks for hosting again this week. Have a wonderful Christmas.

Paula, what gorgeous collections!! You have displayed everything beautifully; and I love the sentimental pieces from your family members! Your home looks so festive and inviting! Thanks so much for sharing! Merry Christmas!!!

oh i am in love with your collection but that stunning beautiful lady in the red filigree dress is just to die for!!!! WOW!!!! thank you for sharing with us all -- just gorgeous!!!! sending holiday hugs...

How in the heck have I missed your beautiful blog?? Oh my goodness! That is not going to happen again. I just hit the follow button! Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit and inviting me to your party! I will be visiting often. ♥ ♥

Hi Paula ~ you have quite the Christmas collection! Wow, so many amazing things! I'm glad I stopped by. I have to say, you are too, too sweet for the comments you left about my tray! Haha. Creative Genius. You don't mind if I quote you, right!? At least with my husband anyway! Linked up and I am gladly a new follower! Have a very Merry Christmas!

My MIL collected many Wedgwood ornaments, too. Your collections are wonderful! And I love it that you honor the strong women in your family -- our mothers and grandmothers were creative and resourceful in troubled times...

Wishing you and your family a joyous Christmas, Paula, filled with love and laughter. xoxo

This is such a gorgeous collection - I don't know where to begin. Everything is beautiful! I think one of my favorites is the very first angel (is she in a bird cage?) I love, love, love her! Thanks for hosting and Merry Christmas to you and Patty! Hugs, Cindy

Your home looks gorgeous, I love the angel inside the metal cloche. Such great vignettes and beautiful Santas and things all over the house. Thank you for hosting and having me Paula and wishing you the merriest of Christmas.FABBY

Hi Paula... oooh, your collections are just stunning!... soo hard to pick a favorite Santa, but I think it would be the darling Santa cookie jar, too cute!... everything is so pretty and festive, I bet Christmas at your home is just pure enchantment!... wishing you and Patti and your families a very Merry Christmas!... xoxo Julie Marie

HELLO THERE PATTI AND PAULA! Paula, you may not know me, but Patti knows me and I just want to thank you for being such a kind friend and commenting on my posts. Your decorations are fabulous and I love that beautiful woman in her red dress and turban, signifying the strong women in your family. BRAVO!!!!!!!!! And Merry Christmas to you all! Anita

Patti and Paula, Thanks so much for selecting Cottage and Broome as one of the posts you featured from last week! Loving all your collections but I think my favorite item was the figurine with the red dress representing your 4 generations of strong women, beautiful. Hope you both have a wonderful holiday season! Laura

Paula, thanks so much for inviting me to your party!!! I LOVE all YOUR santas too! We Santa lovers are a rare breed:):) I just this year heard about the White House ornaments! So pretty. Love that globe with the train too! Have a beautiful, blessed Christmas!!!! XO, Pinky

Patti and Paula....as always I love visiting your lovely blog! Your collections are wonderful and what I love most is the great way you celebrate the strong women in your family tree. It's very inspiring. Merry Christmas to you all!

Paula, you have an amazing collection of Christmas ornaments and decorations! I have never heard of the White House ornies- I'd love to see them. Thanks for hosting the party, again. Merry, Merry!! Sue

Hi lovely lady.Your Christmas collections is so Beautiful. You did a lovely job putting this all together for the Holidays. Thanks so much for your sweet comments on my new Tablescape,And thanks for having your sweet linky party also. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family.XXOO Diane

These are beautiful...love it all.I, too, adore the regal Santas. Something so comforting about them.A joyful, blessed Christmas to you, Paula and Patti!! Many wonderful blessings...Sending hugs,xoxo,- Irina

This a very lovely post of favorite treasures of Christmas and the elegant way you display everything. Your way of honoring your strong women in your family says everything about you. You have my admiration and that includes this beautiful endearing and sentimental Christmas post. No wonder you have become so many of your blogging friend's favorite place to visit.

Merry Christmas with many blessings to you both and to your families. Hugs, Jeanne

Hello, Paula, and Merry Christmas! You have the most amazing collection of ornaments and Santas! I don't know where to begin...each one was more amazing than the last! You looked SO cute in that little sailor outfit!!! I think we all wore one of those little outfits at one time or another in our childhood. Mine was for my 5th grade photo, and I thought I was really stylin'!!! I think it's cute that your son as been such a "longtime collector" of ornaments, too! It's good to start them young! He will come to appreciate the beauty and nostalgia of it all. I hope that you and your family enjoy all the blessings of the Christmas season. Have a great holiday weekend!

Paula, everything is simply lovely! Looks like you are all ready for Christmas! Thanks so much for your sweet comments about my BIL's omelettes! Please let me know how you like them! Thanks so much for hosting! Merry Christmas!...hugs...Debbie

Things sure look festive at your house. I love your lovely angel. I have a Santa collection too. And I love the White House ornaments. I have back to 1999 -- I'm gradually going backward and getting the older ones. Hope to have the full collection one day.

It's so neat to see what everybody has collected over the years for the holidays. Your collections are very beautiful, and I'm sure will be heirlooms for the future.Thanks so much for hosting!And for joining me for Pearls and Lace Thursday!Blessings, Doni

Merry Christmas my new blog friend. I hope you and your loved ones have a blessed season and the Happiest New Year ever. I love all your '"people of color," inspired decorations,I had Santa's at my shop this year in hand blown glass ornaments and they were a big hit. I hope to see you real soon. Merry Christmas, Richard from My Old Historic House.

Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit, and for the wonderful complement! I have joined your party and am so honored that you asked! I will be your newest follower just as soon as I am done typing...and I can't wait to be able to come back and look at your blog more closely...waiting for company right now...or I would be doing it now...from what I can see of it...I will probably be spending quite a bit of time here! Thanks again,Sharon

Merry Christmas Patti and Paula... Your home is so warm and inviting.. I just adore your collections... What a beautiful post... I can see all the love that has gone into everything.Happy holidays,Penny

You have such amazing collections of Santas, Nutcrackers, Angels and more. You can just tell they have each been chosen with care, making them extra special. Hope your Christmas was merry and bright!CAS

No What's it Wednesday today though?Looks like I missed out on playing along last Wednesday, but it was such a busy week. Thanks for the feature Pattie and Paula!:) Hope your Christmas was fabulous and I wish you a wonderful new year 2012!xoxo~ Carola

The Ladies of Ivy and Elephants

We are Moms, dreamers, visionaries, and creators. Our love for all things vintage and Victorian is evident throughout our homes. We are passionate about our families, friends, food, and fabulous finds. We are Ivy & Elephants.